Assistive technology is assistive, adaptive, and rehabilitative devices for people with disabilities or the elderly population. People who have disabilities often have difficulty performing activities of daily living independently, or even with assistance. Federal law requires colleges to provide an equal opportunity to students with disabilities to participate in and receive the benefits of an educational program. When applied to online coursework, this means that materials used for instruction must be accessible to all students.
Video and Audio Resources
Whenever video or audio resources are used in the online classroom, the instructor will ensure the content is accessible to all students. For instance, if a student is hearing impaired, the media resource should provide the audio in an alternate format. For students who are not able to see, the media resource should provide a visual component for the student.
Screen Readers
Accessibility Tools
Many common software applications have built-in features to help make the course content more accessible to students with disabilities. Most applications allow you to modify the size, color, and style of the font, which can be helpful for low-vision students. Also, the computer operating system may have accessibility features to magnify the screen, change the size of icons, or adjust the way the mouse and keyboard react. Visit the links below for detailed information on accessibility features and information about how these technologies can be applied to assist.
Resources
15 Assistive Technology Tools for Students with Disabilities – https://www.teachthought.com/technology/15-assistive-technology-tools-resources-for-students-with-disabilities/